Thursday, March 31, 2011

My good friend Lurker and I have been kicking around the Korean Talmud story since this past Sunday.

After searching around, he found that some evidence that the level of Talmud taught in South Korea actually does go at least a bit beyond mere aggada and Pirkei Avot-style ethical sayings. It seems that they also delve somewhat into the halakhic/legalistic topics in the Gemara.

For a good example of this, take a look here at "The Kids Times". This is from the website of The Kids Times, an English-language educational magazine for South Korean school children. It has a regular cartoon feature called "The Wisdom of the Talmud". This particular installment ("Negotiating the Rent") is very clearly based directly upon the Sugya at the beginning of Talmud Bavli Ketubot 103a.

It may not be the most complex sugya in the Talmud, but it does accurately portray the Talmudic discussion.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

The pedestrian shot one of the Palestinian terrorists in self-defense and escaped, as can be seen clearly in the following video.

The only thing the police know is that the pedestrian used a Glock pistol to defend himself.

We've discussed a few other incidents like this where Jewish citizens have been under life-threatening attacks and have been forced to defend themselves.

Since that date the police have trampled the law in a stampede attempt to find and arrest the pedestrian who clearly acted in self-defense.

To do that, the police have compiled a list of licensed Glock semi-automatic pistol owners in the Shomron, and have systematically been arresting them one at a time, despite being legally licensed gun owners. To date they all the gun owners have been released after their false arrested in this fishing expedition.

This morning the an entire troop of police entered the town of Itamar to arrest Moshe Ronsky.

Moshe Ronsky is an IDF reserve officer in a special forces unit.Moshe Ronsky is also the son of the former IDF Chief Rabbi General Avi Ronsky (who also served in a special forces before becoming a Rabbi).

Moshe Ronsky is also unfortunately a legal owner of a licensed Glock handgun (probably the most popular handgun in Israel).

When the police gang arrived at his door to arrest him, Moshe immediately notified his father who quickly arrived to intervene.

The conclusion of the event and the negotiations was that unlike other licensed Glock owners, Moshe Ronsky would not be arrested from his house, but rather, he would come down to the police station later in the day today to present his licensed weapon for ballistic analysis.

This raises a number of questions.

1) Why do the police need to arrest innocent people in the middle of the night, when they can politely ask these law abiding citizens to present their licensed weapon for ballistic testing?

2) Why does it repeatedly require the intervention of a powerful/influential figures to force the police to comply with the law and respect the civil rights of Israeli citizens?

3) What is the average citizen, without such protectzia, supposed to do to protect himself from this basic abuse of his civil rights by a police force that has no interest in following the law?

4) Why are the police investing all this manpower to find someone who clearly acted in self-defense as can unquestionably be seen on the video?

Have all the other serious crimes in the country been solved? If the police were already out in Itamar, you need to ask if the murderers of the Fogel family of Itamar have finally been captured, because why else would they be spending resources there?

Police behavior in this country is very disturbing. The problem starts at the top and trickles down like a waterfall.

(Oh, and by the way, dear police, Jameel owns a Glock).

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

For all the attacks against Israel in the International forum, it’s refreshing when we hear about or meet people who actually and honestly like Jews and Israel.

It’s refreshing that the South Koreans admire and respect the Jewish people to the point where they want to emulate us on certain levels, even if it only to achieve success in areas important to them.

From ‘Lo Lishma’…

I recently had the opportunity to sit with a group of U.S. Evangelical Christians who were visiting Israel.

Here are people that genuinely love the Jewish people – especially the religious settlers. :)

And what is most interesting is that most of them had never actually met with or talked to a Jew in their entire life (sort of like the South Koreans) until this trip to Israel.

This wasn’t an interfaith meeting where we discussed and compared religions. This was a meeting where they got to meet with "God’s people", the Jews they so admire from the Bible and freely ask us questions and learn more about Jews and Judaism.

Is there an apocalyptic undertone to their love? Perhaps, we didn’t get into their religious beliefs, but it was clear from their questions that they are very concerned for the safety and survival of the Jewish people.

And there are millions of these people who actually love the Jews networked together around the United States.

From the feedback I got from their tour guide, this opportunity they had of meeting religious Jews, freely getting to ask us questions and learn about our lives and Judaism was nothing short of “transformational”.

And there were things they said that shocked me too.

I asked them what impressed them most about the Jews they’ve met and Israel.

The answer was unanimous, our “unity”, our caring for one another.

I didn’t know what to say to an answer like that.

I thought it over, and perhaps there is truth to it. We get so involved in the particulars, but perhaps to the outsider they don’t see those differences, and instead see us all working towards the same overall goal.

On the other hand, they may simply be unaware of what really goes on.

I’ve always wondered about something.

We Jews are supposed to be a “light unto the nations”. Yet how are we supposed to do that locked up in our own communities and lives. Jewish outreach to non-Jews is rather limited. Are we simply supposed to set an example from afar?

How many people get to actually influence other nations, and share the light of Torah and teach our message to the world?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we Jews are supposed to fulfill this task.

Perhaps this is both the answer and the opportunity?

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

I guess it was only a matter of time before this happened. It's already been detected in other places around the world such as the US. There certainly doesn't seem to be anything we can do about it, so we can hope the scientists are right about the potential for harm.

As a result of the incident with the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, several EPA air monitors have detected very low levels of radioactive material in the United States consistent with estimates from the damaged nuclear reactors. These detections were expected and the levels detected are far below levels of public-health concern.

Elevated levels of radioactive material in rainwater have been expected as a result of the nuclear incident after the events in Japan since radiation is known to travel in the atmosphere. There have been reports received that the states of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have seen elevated levels of radiation in recent precipitation events. EPA is reviewing this data – however, in both cases these are levels above the normal background levels historically reported in these areas.

If you're in the US you can use this map to find out the change in radiation levels in your area.

While all the scientist keep saying the danger isn't immediate, I just wonder what the real long-term damage to the world really is.It's not just the atmosphere, the sea water around Japan has also been contaminated. That's not exactly containable either.

Follow-up from the Elder of Zion's investigation on the Korean Talmud Story...

The Korean Talmud webpages I have seen treat the Talmud the same way one treats Aesop's Fables, as a shorthand way to gain insights into morality and how to live as well as plain entertainment. The bulk of the Talmud - as a basis for an all-encompassing legal system - is not mentioned.

I cannot find any indication of any real Talmud study. I can't find any translations of Talmud into Korean, nor any indication of scholarly study of the Aramaic/Hebrew original by Korean students. And in no way are the Koreans taking advantage of the parts of the Talmud that have sharpened the minds of Jews for centuries - the intricate pilpul, the careful reading of texts for legal ramifications, the hours it takes to reconcile two seemingly opposing source-texts.

As far as I can tell, the Koreans think that the brief snippets of translation they have access to is the Talmud. They do not seem to understand what the Talmud really is, hence the confusion about so many Korean people think they own copies of the Talmud.

So while it is still a fascinating topic, YNet seems to have overblown it a bit.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Facebook page calling for a third Palestinian intifada was taken down on Tuesday, after widespread calls for it to be removed.

On the original page, Palestinians are urged to take to the streets after Friday prayers on May 15 and begin an uprising in the vain of the first two popular uprisings. "Judgment Day will be brought upon us only once the Muslims have killed all of the Jews," reads the call. The page had more than 340,000 fans.

Although the page was removed, a new page already exists in its place with the same name of "Third Palestinian Intifada."

The Anti Defamation League had filed an official complaint against Facebook for allowing the page to remain up.

In addition, Minister Yuli Edelstein wrote a letter to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, warning that the page includes calls to kill Jews and to liberate Jerusalem through violence.

The page incites to violence and violates Facebook content regulations, wrote Edelstein. (Haaretz)

On the "Third Intifada" Facebook page, it stated:

"If Facebook closes this page, all Muslims will boycott it forever!"

Kudos to Facebook for not giving in to Islamic Terror (like youtube does all the time).

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

In addition, I kindly wish to suggest some changes for the translated article on your website in order to prevent readers from getting the wrong impression:

- Title: “Talmud Study now in South Korea”

- 1st paragraph: “close to 50 million people live in South Korea, and almost everyone was thought the Talmud at home by their parents. “We tried to understand why the Jewish people are geniuses and we think that it is because they study Talmud”, said Korean Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma.

- 2nd paragraph: “Yet, it turns out that… is actually very interesting to the South Koreans who encourage Talmud learning at home”.

- 4th paragraph: “So we to will become geniuses” – “We were very curious about the high academic achievements of the Jewish people”, explains Korean Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma, who was hosted on the channel 1 TV programme “Culture Today”.

“How they – more than other peoples – are able to reach such impressive accomplishments? In our opinion, one of your secrets is that you study the Talmud”.

- 6th paragraph: “This understanding led us to teach our children as well at home. We believe that if we teach our children Talmud, they will also become geniuses. This is the rationality to make Talmud a part of home education in Korea”.

-7th paragraph: Ambassador Ma says the he himself studied the Talmud at a very young age.

“I, for example, have two editions of Talmud: one my wife bought and the other I got from my mother in law”.

I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and for your initiative to bring this fascinating information to more people. It will be greatly appreciated if you submit the above corrections.

Many Thanks and Kol Tuv,Einav LevyCultural&Press AffairsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

The following fascinating article was translated by The Muqata from YNET.

Update:After receiving a personal thank you letter from the South Korean Embassy in Israel for this blog post, I have made a few minor updates to the article below at the Embassy's request, to better reflect Talmud (탈무드) Study in Korea YNET has reposted an updated version as well.

Close to 50 million people live in South Korea, and almost everyone is taught the Talmud at home by their parents. "We tried to understand why the Jews are geniuses, and we came to the conclusion that we think it is because they study Talmud," said the Korean ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma. And this is how "Rav Papa" became a more well known scholar in Korea than in Israel.

It is doubtful if the Amoraic scholars, Abbaye and Rava imagined their discussions of Jewish law in the Beit Midrash in Babylon would be taught hundreds of years later in East Asia. Yet it turns out that the laws of an "egg born on a holiday" ("ביצה שנולדה ביום טוב") is actually very interesting to the South Koreans who have required that Talmud study be part of their compulsory school curriculum. [Note from Jameel: The Korean Embassy in Israel probably received alot of complaints about Talmud being part of the compulsory school curriculum, and requested that the statement read: “Yet, it turns out that… is actually very interesting to the South Koreans who encourage Talmud learning at home”.]

Almost every home in South Korea now contains a Korean-translated Talmud. But unlike in Israel, the Korean mothers teach the Talmud to their children. In a country of close to 49 million people who believe in Buddhism and Christianity, there are more people who read the Talmud - or at least own their own copy at home - more than in the Jewish state. Much more.

"So we too will become geniuses"

"We were very curious about the high academic achievements of the Jewish people”, explains Korean Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Young Sam Ma, who was hosted on the channel 1 TV programme “Culture Today”."

"Jews have a high percentage of Nobel laureates in all fields: literature, science and economics. This is a remarkable achievement. We tried to understand what is the secret of the Jewish people? How they - more than other people - are able to reach those impressive accomplishments? Why are Jews so intelligent? In our opinion, one of your secrets is that you study the Talmud”.

"Jews study the Talmud at a young age, and it helps them, in our opinion, to develop mental capabilities. This understanding led us to teach our children as well. We believe that if we teach our children Talmud, they will also become geniuses. This is what stands behind the rationale of introducing Talmud Study to our school curriculum." Jameel adds: Again, The Muqata was requested to remove the school curriculum comment, and replace it with, "This is the rational to make Talmud a part of home education in Korea”

Ambassador Ma says the he himself studied the Talmud at a very young age: "It is considered very significant study," he emphasized. The result is that more Koreans have Talmud sets in their homes than Jews in Israel.

“I, for example, have two editions of Talmud: one my wife bought and the other I got from my mother in law”. [Jameel adds: Almost like the Jewish tradition of the parents of the bride buying a set of Talmud for their future son-in-law...]

Groupies of Jews

Koreans don't only like the Talmud because they see it as promoting genius, but because they found values that are ​​close to their hearts.

"In the Jewish tradition, family values ​​are important," explains the South Korean Ambassador.

"You see it even today, your practice of the Friday evening family meal. In my country we also focus on family values. The respect for adults, respect and appreciation for the elderly parallels the high esteem in my country for the elderly."

Another very significant issue is the respect for education. In the Jewish tradition parents have a duty to teach their children, and they devote to it lots of attention. For Korean parents, their children's education is a top priority. (YNET)

The photo above of a Talmud translated into Korean,is courtesy of the South Korean Embassy to Israel.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

12:20 AM (Sunday morning) Rock throwing from "Ouja" in the Jordan valley against a school bus returning school children to Jerusalem from a Shabbat weekened in the Golan Heights. No injuries. Bus windshield smashed.

10:20 PM (Saturday Night) Reports of shooting attack at the entrance to the community of Eli; no injuries reported.

10:50 PM (Saturday Night) Road 60 between Gush Etzion and Kiryat Arba; arabs blocked the road with large rocks, and when a Jewish car from Carmei Tzur arrived and slowed down at the roadblock, Arabs lobbed dozens of stones and at the car and tried to lynch the occupants. They managed to escape, but the car suffered very heavy damage.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Some find it a bother to post about terror attacks in Jerusalem. I'd rather post about it and let people know that Jews are being targeted for being Jewish. The following wounded could use your prayers/tehillim.

Who are the wounded from the Jerusalem Bomb Attack this past Wednesday?

Odelia Nechama bat Michal who is in 9th grade, and was severely injured in her head, on her way home from Ulpana. She suffered serious head injuries and is in intensive care. Her life is still in danger.

Leah Bracha bat Shoshana Batya, a 19-year old seminary student from the US. She suffered burns to her legs and arms as well as serious shock.

David ben Sara (David Amoyal), owner of the snack stand next to the bus stop. He told everyone to run away and then called the police, and was ont he p hone with them when the bomb exploded. He suffered injuries to his legs and feet and lower body. He is in moderate condition.

Ad Shapira, an 18-year old just about to complete high school. She suffered light orthopedic injuries and is in good condition in hospital.

Shaindel bat Raizel, another seminary (post high school) girl learning in Israel this year was operated on last night from the Jerusalem bombing yesterday.

Shilo ben Zehava Ofra, a 15-year old, who suffered burns and fractures to his legs and lower abdomen. He is sedated in intensive care.

Daniel Yehuda ben Rachel Nurit, a 13-year old, who suffered lacerations and shrapnel injuries to his lower extremities, and is likely to be released from the hospital before Shabbat.

Elchanan Ovadia ben Alona, a 14-year old, who suffered serious injuries to his feet. One ankle and three of his toes were crushed. He has had one operation and will require more surgery. He will likely be in the hospital at least 2-3 weeks.

Netanel ben Shlomit, an 18-year old who works as a security guard at the bus station. He was injured in teh abdomen and had surgery. He is now recuperating in the hospital.

Yisrael ben Dina, 8th grader from Netivot.

Natan Daniel ben Shulamit is 17 years old. He is the oldest of five children in his family and was on his way to yeshiva in Migdal HaEmek yesterday when he was seriously injured in the bombing in Jerusalem. He suffered massive internal injuries and has had a number of internal organs removed.

Shavua tov...

--Jameel

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Despite Widespread Tweets and SMS's flying around that people are requests to say Tehillim for IDF ground troops going into Gaza there are NO IDF ground troops in Gaza. The Tehillim SMS started last night...and its Religious Spam.

How's that for an Orthodox Oxymoron?

Shabbat Shalom,

Jameel

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Friday Morning: 6 more rockets hit the Eshkol Region surrounding Gaza last night. No reported injuries. As I wrote yesterday about the unconfirmed reports of a ground assault yesterday, I had my doubts, and in fact, there is no evidence of it happening, except for some Hamas websites...which are usually wrong, I don't believe there was a ground incursion.

Thursday Evening: At about 8:40 PM this evening, a combined IDF Air and Naval assault commenced on Gaza. Loud explosions can be heard from Gaza...

There are unconfirmed reports of an IDF Ground troops incursion into Northern Gaza, but I have my doubts.

I'm sure Goldstone is already preparing his next report.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

The owner of a kiosk near the Jerusalem Central Bus Station / Binyanei HaUma / Israel's Convention Center, noticed a suspicious bag yesterday. He called the Police to report it. As he was explaining to the Police Dispatcher about the suspicious bag, it exploded.

You can hear the audio here:

I'm impressed with the professional response of the police on the call after it exploded; quickly yet effectively broadcasting the information to the entire Jerusalem Police network, calling for all units to respond, calling on units to keep a lane open for emergency vehicles...

I'll try to subtitle this into English if I find the time.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

6:00 PM Prayer session now at the Kotel/Western Wall for a 15 year old girl who was critically wounded in yesterday's Palestinian bombing attack in Jerusalem. Her name is Odelya Nechama bat Michal. She underwent complicated brain surgery today and she is still in critical condition.

Her school friends are organizing a tehillim/prayer session for her at the Kotel now.

5:34 PM An elderly woman from Ashdod died earlier today from a heart attack -- due to the the shock of hearing the aid raid siren of the rocket attack (or perhaps the sound of the rocket's explosion). (source: Ashdod net)5:21 PM - Gaza Rocket hits Sederot. No reports of injuries.3:49 PM Reports of Color Red air raid warnings around South-Central Israel

3:42 PM Additional mortar attack on Eshkol region next to Gaza.

Name released for publication: British tourist, Mary-Jane Gardner killed yesterday by Palestinian bomb attack in Jerusalem.2:57 PM Air Raid Sirens go off in Central Israel; Yavneh, Gedera, Rishon LeZion, Ashdod.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Jewish Chronicle in England had a Purim spoof story on their website this past Sunday, masquerading as a "real" news story.

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will take place at Westminster Abbey amid the normal pomp of the Anglican ceremony.

But this time there will be crucial differences - including a traditional Jewish wedding practice.

Buckingham Palace is keen that the wedding takes account of the multi-cultural nature of modern British society, so Muslim, Hindu and Jewish traditions will be incorporated into the Church of England ceremony.

According to detailed wedding plans, due to be released on Sunday, a small amount of mehendi or turmeric, paste will be smeared on Kate's hand in a Muslim pre-wedding ritual. The couple will then offer each other a morsel of food to express mutual love and affection in accordance with the Hindu practice, and then William will smash a glass with his foot as at Jewish weddings.

Buckingham Palace spokesperson Esther Calthorpe-Watts said: "They want everyone to feel a part of the wedding. And while, religiously, the ceremony will be completely Anglican in nature, they felt it appropriate to include these small gestures towards other faiths. (The JC)

I thought it was pretty funny. What I found hilarious is that YNET and Haaretz saw the story, forgot it was Purim, and ran the story as if it were real news!

When they realized they had egg all over their faces, instead of admitting they were fooled by a Purim spoof, they simply DELETED the story page, hoping no one would notice.

Of course, the Muqata notices everything, and here's a google cached copy of the story.

If you haven't been noticed, for the past few weeks, I've been blogging far less than usual. One of the reasons for it, is I've been doing IDF military reserve duty in evenings (after work hours), to prepare my IDF Company for a long haul.

I spoke to the IDF spokesman about my upcoming reserves, and they were very encouraging that I should blog it. Obviously, nothing will break military censorship rules or disclose classified IDF information, but they were definitely of the opinion that I should blog the experience.

Today was commander briefing day, as we went to the IDF regional command center for a full day briefing on what to expect when we start our 24 day tour of service in Judea/Samaria (West Bank).

We were told that our particular region would experience almost every type of conflict that Israel has to offer. Palestinian Terror, civil violence, anarchists, left-wing demonstrations, settler "price tag" repercussions for a myriad of scenarios, world media, photographers from all sides, and attempting to keep the roads open for everyone to keep some semblance of normality to their lives.

Personally, I'm exhausted -- and I'm going back tomorrow for more. However, this is just the preparation for our reserve duty which will commence immediately after Pesach. Till then, I have hours and hours of preparations to ensure our military service will go as smoothly as possible.

I hope to bring a personal angle to much of what I see, and I will try to photograph interesting situations as well.

In the meantime, I'll be blogging on and off, (with Joe and friends keeping things on the blog up to date).

It was weird this evening when I was driving home, and in my car was my commanding officer, platoon commander, and manpower officer, and I got a phone call from the IDF spokesman about something IDF related and the blog. After the call was over, my CO asked me why the IDF spokesman was calling me -- and I told him, because they think my name's Jameel Rashid.

He thought it was rather amusing...

A quiet evening to all.

Jameel

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!